Connection for train-pipe and coupling-heads.



W. C. WHITE. CONNECTION FOR TRAIN PIPE AND COUPLING HEADS. APPLICATION'FILED JAN-7.1913. RENEWED JUNE 29.1915.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

aw/limes es STA PATENT @FFTQE.

WALTER 0. WHITE, 01? LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL COUPLERS COMPANY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALI- FORNIA.

CONNECTION FOR TRAIN-PIPE AND COUPLING-HEADS.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

Criginal application filed August 13,1912, Serial No. 714,862. Divided and this application filed January 7, 1913, Serial No. 740,686. Renewed June 29, 1915. Serial No. 37,122.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TALTER C. WHITE, citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in (lonnec tions for Train-Pipe and Coupling-Heads,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to train-pipe couplings, and has special reference to the means for connecting the train-pipes to the coupler heads whereby the fluid pressure within a train-pipe may be utilized to hold the coupler heads in engagement and be applied centrally to the rear end of the coupler head.

This present application is a division of an application filed by me August 13, 1912, Serial No. 714,862, the claims herein being restricted to a species disclosed but not specifically claimed in said application and no claim being made herein to the generic invention disclosed in the aforesaid application.

The present invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a horizontal section of two train-pipe coupling heads in engagement and having my present improvements applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of one coupler head; Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the fitting upon the train-pipe by which the train-pipe is connected to the coupling head.

The coupler head 1 may be of any desired formation and in the present instance is illustrated as equipped with an internal air box 2 having lateral ports 3 in one side which are adapted to register with corresponding ports in an opposed coupler head, and the train-pipes 4, 5 and 6 are carried thrdugh the rear end of the coupler head and have their front extremities opening into the air box through the rear wall of the same, as will be readily understood on reference to Fig. 1. The drawing illustrates an upper train-pipe 4 intended to carry air to operate the signals and a lower train-pipe 6 intended to convey steam for heating the cars, as well as an intermediate train-pipe 5 carrying the air for operating the brakes. The upper and lower pipes 1 and 6 are shown as entering the rear wall of the trainpipe coupling head through openings 7 and 8 directly in the central line of the head and being provided within the coupler head with elbows 9 whereby they are diverted to one side so as to enter the air box 2.

The train-pipes are constructed in sec tions and the upper and lower pipes have these sections connected by ball joints 10 immediately adjacent the rear wall of the coupler head so that vertical movement of the coupler head will be accommodated and will not efiect a rupture of the train-pipes. The pipe 5 is constructed with a cylinder 11 between the rear wall of the coupler head and an abutment plate provided uponthe hanger which supports the coupler, and a piston 12 formed on the end of one section of this pipe plays in the said cylinder between the rear end of the same and an internal annular shoulder 13 near the front end thereof. This section of the train-pipe is also provided with an annular shoulder 14 adapted to bear against the said abutment plate (not shown) when the trainpipes are coupled. The rear end wall of the coupler head is provided between the openings 7 and-8 with spaced lugs 15 and 16 having their opposed faces 17 beveled, and between the said lugs is fitted a beveled tongue or projection 18 which is secured in the forward end of a coupling 19 fixed upon the end of the pipe 5 projecting from the forward end of the cylinder 11. A flexible pipe 20 is attached to a branch 20, extending from the side of the coupling 19, and enters the rear wall of the coupler head through an opening 21 formed therein near the side of the same. The lugs 15 and 16 and the tongue or projection 18 are pivotally connected by a pin or bolt 22 inserted vertically through perforations therein, and the opening in the tongue 18 should be sufliciently large to permit free play of the tongue upon said pivot pin or bolt. Movement of the said parts freely in all directions is thus permitted so that the heads may readily accommodate themselves to variations in the position of the car or other parts during travel or in the heights of the coupler heads when being brought together.

After the coupling heads have come together and the ports 3 in the opposed heads have been made to register the air is cut into the train-pipe 5 and Will immediately flow through the same into the air box and to the angle cock on the adjoining car or at the end of the line. The air will then expand against the piston 12 so that the said piston Will be moved toward the rear end of the cylinder 11 and carry the shoulder or stop 14 against the abutment plate of the hanger, the pressure of the air then serving to hold the coupler heads longitudinally together so that the ports 3 will remain in register and the devices Will be held in coupled relation and Will not be liable to be accidentally uncoupled under the shock of coupling additional cars to the train or While the train is rounding sharp curves or from other causes.

It Will be observed that the pressure from the cvlinder 11 is directed against the coupler head at the center of the same and will be transmitted equally to all parts thereof so that twisting of the head relative to the opposed head will be positively prevented and cannot occur.

What I claim is:

1. A train-pipe coupling comprising a coupler head having rearwardly projecting oppositely beveled lugs on its rear end at the center thereof, a train-pipe provided with a on said train-pipe for applying pressure to the coupler head through the said projecting tongue and said lugs.

2. In a train-pipe coupling, the combination of a coupler head having rearwardly projecting lugs on its rear Wall at its center, the opposed faces of said lugs being beveled and the coupler head being provided with an opening through its rear Wall adjacentsaid lugs, a train-pipe having a tapered tongue at its end loosely pivoted between said lugs, a coupling on the said pipe, and a flexible tube extending from said coupling and passing through the opening in the rear Wall of the coupler head.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signa ture in presence of two Witnesses.

WALTER 0. HITE. L 5.

lVitnesses:

G. W. BEALS, GRACE PETERSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents;

Washington, I). C. 

